[Xcaulo]

Hi all,

I know there are a bunch of threads on spilling stuff on computers, but none of them seem to really answer this question, and I'm really curious.

I spilled a bunch of tea (not the sugary stuff, like water + teabag) onto my Macbook keyboard while it was on. Before I even started wiping it up, the computer shut down. I think I accidentally tried to turn it on again by hitting the power button in an attempt to shut it down without realizing it was already shut down. There was a somewhat funky smell, but my computer had been making the same smell before, so I'm not too worried about that.

Anyway I'm drying it out now (I removed the power cord and battery) and I'll try turning it on after 72 hours have passed since the incident. I'm just really worried that the motherboard shorted out and is now trashed.

The computer turned off immediately, and when I tipped the computer vertically, blackened tea came out of the front of the keyboard near the mouse and out of the mouse. Also, there was some stuff in the battery compartment, but it looked normal color. All of this suggests to me that the motherboard had a pretty bad short and is now ruined, and that my computer is therefore now ruined.

Obviously I can't know for sure until Sunday when I try to turn it on again, but is there any possible way the computer could be alright? Is there any other explanation as to why it shut down like that? Are there some preventative things on the electronics that will turn them off in the case of a short somewhere? In most of the threads I read it seems people's computers worked fine afterwards except for a few problems with the keyboards, but only a few people had their computers actually on, and I don't think anybody had their computer shut down instantly.

Is there any hope for me?

[imitchellg5]

You answered your question in the thread title.

[Maflynn]

Its dead.

[Xcaulo]

Well that's depressing. I guess I could send it in and get a quote on how much it would cost to repair it. I assume it will probably be about the cost of a new computer though.

The computer is one year old. Any chance I could sell the parts somewhere? I've never sold computer parts. Which parts would people want? How can I tell which parts are damaged or what not? Finally, if I wanted to sell the HD, is there some way to erase everything on it first?

Thanks for the replies. Now pardon me while I beat my face into a wall for the rest of the day.

[ibook_steve]

See our spilled liquids sticky for information:

http://forums.macnn.com/69/mac-noteb...r-beer-liquid/

Steve

[Xcaulo]

Hi again,

I tried booting my computer yesterday after giving it three days to dry out. It first booted to the apple screen, then died. I tried again and logged on and connected to wireless and such. I tried to bring up firefox and it crashed again. I've decided to wait a bit more in hopes that there was still some liquid inside that caused the shut down. Is this at all possible?

Frankly, I was surprised that it even booted, so I'm hoping that giving it a few more days to thoroughly dry or whatever will give better results.

@ibook_steve: I probably read every topic in that sticky multiple times. I made this topic because I didn't see an answer to my question in the sticky. I realize there are tons of other topics on this, but I didn't see anything specific to this case. Sorry for the additional topic.

Figured I'd give an update. Thanks for the replies so far.